The line has always seemed a little mysterious to me. I know it was created by Jenny Graham & Toni Spencer back in 1997, the masterminds behind the chill, relaxed LA style that Velvet is known for. I don't know much about them personally though, except that they run a seriously awesome company that, no exaggeration, rarely in the 15+ years we've carried them, EVER missed a shipping date, or cancelled production of a style, or had quality issues. Maybe once or twice. That is incredibly rare. They have amazing quality control, and month after month, season after season, they manage to keep delivering their fantastic styles. I'm amazed how steadfast they are in all ways.
If I had to pick the one designer that I personally owned the most of, it would probably be Velvet. I buy a LOT of Velvet, most of it just fits into my lifestyle really well. It's casual, easy to wear, but they also make special pieces that kick it up without trying too hard. I have a lot of days that I'm just on kid duty, running around, doing errands, in and out of the car, driving the kids, doing simple things. I could easily stay in my yoga clothes all day, but I try to put "real" clothes on post-yoga-class and that's when I find that grabbing my Velvet pieces are SO easy because they are comfortable, fun, and casual (but still put together.) I wash and dry all of their cotton pieces and they get lumped in with all the other clothing and towels etc., but they continue to hold up. They even hold up traveling, and to me that's the true test because the water is often hard or soft, the detergent funky, dryers scorching or super steamy, and a lot of my travel clothes come back shredded. Velvet holds up though. Personally I wash all my cashmere from them too. I know some people prefer to dry clean, but it's actually better for your cashmere to hand wash and block dry (and so much cheaper too.)
They make a huge effort to produce most of their line in the United States--right there in Los Angeles where the line was born. Sometimes something will be imported, but that's the exception vs. the rule. There is a reason that Velvet has been around so long, it's the real deal in every way. I also adore our rep, who we've worked with for the entire time we've carried the line. He's the coolest guy ever, and always knows what is good, and what is really good.
I seriously would be lost without it in my wardrobe, so I'm showing some major appreciation for Velvet right now. I've got a crush on this fun striped sweater to the left....it's just so colorful that it makes me happy just to look at it!
Signed, ME {lv}
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